LONGEVITY,FRIENDSHIP,FAMILY.

It applies equally to ourresidents and our staff.

Longtime staff and residents give The Willows a sense of place. They work, play and live in a senior housing community that fosters friendships, and even if it sounds corny, becomes family. Come and experience the difference.

SAY "HELLO" TO VIKI.

Some people are lucky enough to have a calling instead of a job. Willows manager Viki Essex is one of them. “This work is in your blood,” she says. “You don’t really choose it. It chooses you." And after nearly 30 years of supporting our residents, what does she like best about her work? “The opportunity to make somebody’s day, every day. Even the smallest gesture can make a person feel really great.”

SERVING IN EVERY SENSE.

For Jim Deller, our food service manager, preparing meals according to residents' tastes and dietary needs is just one more way to create a personalized experience for everyone who lives here. "The Willows belongs to the residents," he says. "We're here to support them." In our dining rooms, that means making meals fresh, on-site and offering multiple menu options every day. It means ensuring that no one dines alone. And it means noticing when a resident is absent from dinner, and checking to make sure they're OK. Says Jim, "Everybody here has the same job description: We do whatever our residents need."

LASTING CONNECTIONS.

Leslie Keller, our assistant manager, started her career at The Willows as a dining room server when she was just 16. After working with us through high school and college, Leslie heard the call of greener pastures—briefly. “I went on exactly one job interview and thought, ‘Why would I leave The Willows?’ There truly is no other place like it.” After two decades, Leslie has built relationships with staff and residents that she believes are rare in other senior living facilities . “There is a level of caring here you just don’t see anywhere else,” she says. “We count on each other like family.”

MAKING FRIENDS FOR BETTER AND VERSE.

Our resident poet, nonagenarian Dorothy Regal, maintains mind, body and spirit through the dozens of classes, outings and programs we offer every month. “There’s always something worth doing,” she marvels. “The staff here is very thoughtful and creative.” But it’s the deep friendships she’s made that make her glad she joined our community. “I never expected to make the kind of friends I’ve made here. The people who live here are interesting and wonderful.”

A FAMILY TRADITION.

When Marilyn Waldron joined our community in 2003 after downsizing her home, we were already familiar to her; her mother-in-law had lived here for many years. Today, Marilyn says she appreciates the rich mix of programming at The Willows, the safety and security of our building, and our resident gardens: “I came from a big house with big grounds, and was able to bring my rose bushes with me when I moved. It’s fun that I didn’t have to give that up.” Marilyn also values the connections she’s made with her fellow residents and the people who work here—people who have come to feel, she says, like family.

SHAPING LIFE HER WAY.

Not every Willows resident arrives with a kiln. But for potter Pat Walker, that critical piece of equipment is what defined home. We not only accommodated Pat's kiln—we also asked her to teach pottery to her fellow residents. "When I moved into The Willows, I was able to continue living life on my terms," says Pat. "I didn't have to stop being me."

MEET THEM YOURSELF.

When you talk with the people at The Willows, you understandwhy living here is so special. Schedule a visit soon!